The Mullum Music Festival 2010

The Mullum Music Festival   

I love Mullumbimby! Truly, where else could you cruise down a street on a schoolies weekend and be blissfully engaged with music in multi-venues; ambient weather; people gently milling around (some on roller skates, ‘60s style, complete with trays of fake cocktails and a whole lot of attitude); delicious, quality food vans and coffee huts purveying REAL coffee; and that overall feeling of “welcome, this is what we do, please enjoy yourself…” The double-decker, hippie painted, crowd-cheering, ‘hop on board it will be a fun ride’ bus drove past us, for the umpteenth time, and I couldn’t help but smile.

We entered the Mullumbimby Bowling Club (the Mullum Bowlo for locals) to check out Jo Jo Smith (billed as coming from the Southern Ranges/NSW) who, many years ago, used to play regularly around the Byron Bay traps. I remembered her from back then, having the voice of a rock star, and the compassionate nature of a singer/songwriter who could mother the world – her fabulous stage presence and laid-back individuality embracing any audience lucky enough to share time with her.

Well, after all these years (we are talking decades here) she has not changed. Fabulous, melodic, pack-a-punch rhythm with a terrific line-up of musicians (as Jo Jo said, “you never say goodbye to a muso, as you will always see them again – another time, another venue, another opportunity to play music together”). She sang Can’t find my way Home (one of my favourite way-back-then tunes) and I was ever so grateful that she did find her way back home. Playing her own loving originals, and carefully selected covers, Jo Jo mesmerised the audience and had people up dancing and swaying to her sound: take a bow, the interpretive dancer (one in every crowd, especially when you hail from my neck of the woods) who looked like part of the show! Somebody screamed out “you’re awesome Jo Jo” and voluminous applause confirmed that opinion.

Another benefit of having a town as your venue means that even the locals get to witness places they would otherwise not bother to see. At the Mullumbimby Bowlo (as I was seated near the blackboard menu) I noticed that the food looked fabulous and very, very affordable. Note to self: return to Mullumbimby and dine out at the Bowlo. This is the ‘extendo’ flow-on effect that hosting a music festival within a small town can enhance. Really take a look at Mullumbimby and all it has to offer!

Up the road a bit (venues were along the same street) at the Drill Hall Theatre, Karl Farren was doing his solo show, with three guitars and a head-full of lyrics. Smaller venues afford intimate gatherings, and an almost one-on-one experience with the singer/songwriter/musician. Karl’s songs are inspirational and story-telling at its best: the one about a tree brought a tear to my eye (trees can be cut down for sculpture, build a crib, fashion a coffin, make a matrimonial bed, build a home…) and Karl invites us into his thought-provoking world. Karl is from Mullumbimby – so good to see local musicians playing locally and being appreciated.

Actually, at this point, let me quote from the programme, about the ethos of the Mullum Music Festival 2010:

“Mullum lends itself to independent thinkers and it’s a place where the alternative can thrive. Just like the town, we try and programme the music festival with interesting and diverse independent artists that are doing their own original thing…. Being a multi venue festival, not everybody can fit into one venue at the same time. If you miss out there is always another undiscovered great act across the road or down the street.”

And there were many fabulous acts; many of them truly local. Christian Pyle from Goonengerry; M. Jack Bee from Ewingsdale; Ghost Mountain from Goonengerry; Juzzie Smith from Ocean Shores; Scarlett Affection from Bangalow; Yeshe from The Pocket; The Remains from Tuckombil; The Downstairs Mix-Up from Goonellabah;

Pete C & The Soulshakers from Crabbes Creek; Bandwagon from Lismore; Rebecca Ireland from Ocean Shores; Ilona Harker from Brunswick Heads; Joel Salom from Mullumbimby; The Curly Cousins from Mullumbimby to name only one third of the acts that were available for our listening pleasure.

Walking back up the road to the Mullumbimby High School auditorium (now THAT brought back memories) to witness Ali Baba (Coorabell and Tyagarah get a mention here) I noticed that the school grounds around the entrance of the auditorium had been turned into a mini bazaar of food and comfort areas. Ali Baba’s intoxicating mix of middle-eastern and gypsy-tone music lured the villagers into their cave, in true Festival fashion: an eclectic mix of punters ranging from earth-mothers, world-outfitters, children of all ages and persuasions – all dancing to this heady beat.

Ali Baba and the accomplished musicians played mindful, heart-felt “Australian Middle-Eastern Dance Party” music with the added benefit of some wicked didge playing: Ali Baba is the reason why every school in Australia should have a mandatory music programme. Our children are failing English at school? Teach them music and art so they can communicate their message loud and clear. They have a LOT to say! I haven’t been to that hall since my children were at school, and it made me appreciate the world-aware message that was being spun over the airwaves right there and then.

On to the Court House Hotel for a change of venue and a change of beat. Pete C & The Soulshakers were up next, and wow, didn’t they get the joint rocking! The joy about a local band is that you just might know someone – and wasn’t it a surprise to see Don Raphael playing the saxophone!! He must have been filling in for the usual sax player (Don wasn’t listed in the programme) and knowing Don, he can pick up his sax and play a wicked section with anyone, just by calling upon his own soul. The Soulshakers got everyone up dancing (capacity crowd on the dance floor) and were so much fun to witness.

Flap! cranked up and off they go! My goodness does this band have some energy and can they play or what? Yes is the answer. Yes they can!

Lively burlesque-punch with a busy banjo; a filthy trombone; a wicked trumpet and double-bass like a double edged sword – “cut you once and you bleed twice”, with the drummer “going orf”. What a fabulous sound this young band from Melbourne create! Worthy of ‘Googling’ to see where they are playing next – especially if you love to dance! Fabulous voices, fabulous energy and real Australian gusto.

A change of pace and a change of venue again, we walked across the road to the Mullum Civic Hall where Nano Stern (Santiago/Chile) performed his solo show.

His beautifully composed melodies and genius on guitar (and piano) shone through and we were caught up in his musical vibe. Nano sings in Spanish but you hear it in English as he transcends language and allows his music do the talking. Nano has a strong stage presence and his humour and humility bring you into his world.

The overall feeling of the Mullum Music Festival, for me, was one of camaraderie, excellent local talent (thanks to Glenn Wright, Festival Director, for keeping the music alive for local hopefuls and established musicians alike) and a village vibe I haven’t felt in years. All angst-ridden thoughts of Woollies taking over the town; the slow death of culture; the pollution issues that come with profiteering – all of these ever-present and depressing issues were blown away with a full extendo-weekend of music, talent, hope, vision, opportunity and all things soulful that keep a small town alive and thriving. On ya, Glenn, and all those who sail with you. I can’t wait until next year to experience it all again!

The Mullum Music Festival

Thursday 25th November through Sunday 28th November, 2010

Season closed